Teens weigh in on new youth drug strategy

J.P. Antonacci

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

To find out how to curb drug use among local youth, Grand Erie Public Health went right to the source.

Grade 10 students in Haldimand and Norfolk were invited to complete in-class surveys in December to give the health unit a baseline on which to build a strategy to address substance abuse.

The anonymous surveys asked teens about their lives at home, school and in the community. The logic, explained medical officer of health Dr. Jason Malenfant, is that by understanding how teens spend their free time, the health unit can better understand what interventions are needed to curb rising rates of drinking, vaping and other drug use.

“With strong partnerships and solid, local data, we can build supports that genuinely reflect what youth need to feel safe, empowered and able to thrive,” Malenfant said in a news release.

The surveys were the first step toward Grand Erie implementing Planet Youth, an Icelandic public health model that has been shown to steer youth away from abusing substances by focusing on “protective factors” like recreational opportunities with friends and family.

Instead of one-off campaigns about the dangers of drug use, the Icelandic model seeks to “address the complex societal factors that contribute to youth substance use,” the health unit said.

The aim is to delay when kids first try drugs, which in turn delays — and ideally sidesteps — the potential negative outcomes of substance abuse.

Iceland introduced Planet Youth in 1998 and saw rates of youth drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and using cannabis drop by up to 85 per cent over 20 years.

“The Icelandic Prevention Model has shown incredible success in countries around the world, and we are excited to bring this approach to Haldimand and Norfolk,” said Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, who chairs the board of health.

“By working together as a community, we can create a supportive environment that helps our young people thrive, offering healthy alternatives and reducing the risks associated with substance use, which we know is important, particularly to youth living in rural areas.”

The effort is backed by public funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to the tune of $704,886 over three years.

“This investment gives our community a powerful opportunity to better understand the realities young people are navigating today,” Malenfant said.

The survey results will be analyzed by the Iceland-based consultants and form the basis for what the health unit describes as “a long-term, community-driven prevention plan,” with input from school boards, social-service agencies, governments and community members.

To learn more about the local rollout of the Icelandic prevention model, visit planetyouthhaldimandnorfolk.ca.

- J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.